Iga Swiatek discussed Rafael Nadal’s impending retirement after her 6-3, 6-4, third-round win over Yulia Putintseva at the ongoing Italian Open. Nadal was was ousted in the second round of the Masters 1000 event by Swiatek’s compatriot Hubert Hurkacz.
Swiatek, who is an ardent admirer of Nadal, sat down for an interview with Tennis Channel following her victory against Putintseva. Host Prakash Amritraj asked the World No. 1 about her feelings on Nadal’s impending retirement.
The four-time Grand Slam winner laid bare her “mixed emotions” regarding Nadal’s situation, as she confessed that she was much too young to comprehend it.
“Well, you know, mixed emotions (on Nadal’s career coming to an end) because obviously, I’m still pretty young, so it’s hard for me to understand what’s his exact situation. I haven’t been in this place where I’m playing my last tournament,” Swiatek told Tennis Channel (3:50).
The 22-year-old revisited Nadal’s recent farewell ceremony at the Madrid Open, where he was ousted by eventual semifinalist Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round. Swiatek revealed that she had cried while watching the ceremony, but went on to laud the Spaniard for being a “good example of an athlete” who was content with his achievements and was about to transition to a new phase in life.
“I watched the whole (farewell) ceremony in Madrid and I cried obviously, but he seems happy and that’s the most important thing. And kind of, I think, his approach is very smart and really a good example of an athlete that he’s kind of satisfied with what he’s achieved and he is okay with starting another chapter in his life,” Swiatek added.
The Pole concluded by saying that despite all the “fuss” surrounding Nadal’s decision to retire, ultimately, the Spaniard is ending his career on his own terms.
“Everybody’s obviously making a huge fuss around it, but it’s his life and he’s doing everything the way he wants (to), on his terms,” Swiatek concluded.
Swiatek came into the Italian Open on the back of a resounding title triumph at the Madrid Open. However, the Pole had several moments during the Madrid Open final against Aryna Sabalenka where she looked vulnerable. Eventually though, she won the prestigious WTA 1000 title 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(7), after saving three match points in the third and deciding set.
